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something. Hence, from short stories we are able to find the reflection of life based on the author’s perception.
Since literary works portray the phenomena in our life, different kinds of phenomena, such as falling in love, sadness, even death are commonly found in
literary works. Those phenomena are usually felt and experienced by the characters in the story. The phenomena which happen in our life can be
categorized into two groups, planned and unplanned. Some examples of planned phenomena are marriage, graduation, baby born, while one obvious unplanned
phenomenon is death. People cannot escape from death and we are all going to die.
Death as one of various phenomena of our life is often presented in stories. Edgar Allan Poe is one of famous authors who often present death in his
stories, even in almost all of his works. The Mask of the Red Death, Ligeia, and The Cask of Amontillado are some examples of his works which are related to
death. In those short stories, he presents death itself through various symbols. This topic is interesting to be discussed because we can understand Poe’s
perception of death as presented in his works: The Mask of the Red Death, Ligeia, and The Cask of Amontillado and how he presents it. By knowing his perception
of death and how it is related to his real life, it is expected that it give clear point of view to do the analysis of the works of Edgar Allan Poe. This study, thus,
attempts to reveal his perception of death as revealed in The Mask of the Red Death, Ligeia, and The Cask of Amontillado and how it reflects his real life.
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B. Problem Formulation
Based on the background stated above, there are two things that would be discussed by the writer in this study. They are:
1. What is Poe’s perception of death as revealed in The Mask of the Red
Death, Ligeia, and The Cask of Amontillado?
2. How does Poe’s perception of death as revealed in The Mask of the Red
Death, Ligeia, and The Cask of Amontillado reflect Poe’s life?
C. Objectives of the Study
The objectives of the study are first, to discuss Poe’s perception of death as revealed in his works: The Mask of the Red Death, Ligeia, and The Cask of
Amontillado. The second one, this study aims to exemplify the relation of Poe’s perception of death with his personal life.
D. Benefits of the Study
There are three benefits of this study. First, this study is hoped to share knowledge and understanding of Edgar Allan Poe and his works. This study can
hopefully give additional information for readers who want to study literature especially American short stories by Edgar Allan Poe.
The second benefit of the study is that it tries to discover something new related with Edgar Allan Poe’s works. This study would provide new information
about his perception of death and its relation with his personal life.
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The third benefit is that this study provides activities to English Language teaching. By employing the excerpts of the short stories, one can create
materials to teach students in the advanced level because the excerpts provide authentic materials.
E. Definition of terms
1. Perception
Perception refers to “the way you notice things, especially with senses”. Oxford Advanced Learner’ Dictionary 986. Whereas according to Lindsay
and Norman as re-quoted from www.sapdesignguild.org say “Perception is the process by which organisms interpret and organize sensation to produce a
meaningful experience of the world” “Introduction to Perception: Definition of Perception”. This study discusses Poe’s perception of death. Hence it
means his point of view of death based on his three short stories: The Mask of
the Red Death, Ligeia, and The Cask of Amontillado. 2.
Death
Death refers to the end of life. It is stated when the being organs are not functioned to support the life system. However, “death” may be the meaning
beyond that Warga 583. He says that there are actually three kinds of death. They are: physical death, sociological death, and psychological death.
Whereas Aiken in Dying and Death, Bereavement says, “This definition is closest in meaning to biological death, the irreversible breakdown of the
respiration in an organism and the consequent loss of the ability to use
